New Delhi: CPM General Secretary MA Baby on Sunday said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will lead the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the upcoming Assembly elections, describing him as a capable, efficient, and popular leader.

Baby said all constituent party leaders of the LDF, including Jose K. Mani and Binoy Viswam, will play leading roles in the electoral battle.

Also read: NSS backs SNDP’s unity push, pledges collaboration ahead of Kerala assembly polls

“When Kerala has a Chief Minister who has led development work unmatched in the state’s history, it is natural that he will lead the political campaign. This is a front of multiple parties. Leaders of all LDF constituent parties will be in leading roles in the fight. Binoy Viswam, Jose K. Mani, and others will be there. CPM state secretary MV Govindan will also be there. We will all come to support. This is not a party centred on one individual, but a front. And in that front, Kerala’s most prominent leader today is Pinarayi Vijayan,” Baby said.

Also read: Kerala to shut 150 Post Offices; Changes in PIN Code raise public concern

He added that Vijayan is being subjected to sustained attacks precisely because he is a “competent, efficient and popular leader”.

Taking a swipe at the opposition, Baby said the United Democratic Front (UDF) has “many aspirants for the Chief Minister’s post”, while the LDF is driven by commitment to people-centric politics.

Also read: KC(M) MLA Roshy posts ‘Thudarum’ with LDF as Sonia Gandhi steps in to bring Jose K Mani back to UDF

He said questions about the allocation of responsibilities within the LDF will be decided collectively when the time comes.

“The LDF will jointly lead the election campaign. All leaders will be part of it. And that leadership team will be led by the Chief Minister, standing with the people,” Baby added.